Air Force Falcons vs UNLV Runnin’ Rebels Matchup

Read on to get betting odds and analysis in our UNLV vs Air Force NCAA Basketball prediction and preview and see who we think will win and cover the spread in Colorado Springs.

UNLV vs Air Force Prediction

Making on a bet on this NCAA game featuring the Runnin' Rebels versus the Falcons? Tip off is at at 4:00 ET, and you can watch it all unfold on MWN. The game will be played at Clune Arena in Colorado Springs, CO. UNLV is favored by -7.5 in this Mountain West conference contest against Air Force. The game's over/under currently sits at 133 points.

UNLV vs. Air Force Matchup At A Glance

Sport: NCAAB
Teams: UNLV Runnin' Rebels at Air Force Falcons
Where: Colorado Springs at Clune Arena
Date: Tuesday, December 31st
Betting Odds UNLV -7.5, UNLV -370 | AIRF +277 O/U 133

Runnin' Rebels Preview: Can UNLV Deliver Being Favored on the Road?

UNLV improved to 7-5 on the season with an 87-77 win over Fresno State on Saturday, December 28th. The Runnin' Rebels were -15.5 point favorites at home but failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game reached 164, surpassing the O/U line of 144.5.

UNLV took control early, leading 48-30 at halftime, but allowed Fresno State to score 47 points in the 2nd half while putting up 39 points of their own.

Runnin' Rebels Offense Breakdown

UNLV's offense was firing on all cylinders in their last game, putting up 87 points on 53.8% shooting from the field. They connected on 41.7% of their threes, hitting 10 of 24 attempts, and their effective field goal percentage was an impressive 61.5%. The Runnin' Rebels also shot 77.8% from the free-throw line, making 7 of 9 attempts.

Dedan Thomas Jr. led the way with 21 points and 6 assists, while Jasir Tremble added 19 points, hitting 5 of 7 threes. Mykell Robinson contributed 18 points and 7 assists, and Jailen Bedford also scored 18, knocking down 3 of 4 from beyond the arc. Jaden Henley was perfect from deep, hitting both of his attempts and finishing with 15 points on 6 of 8 shooting.

Runnin' Rebels Team Defense

UNLV's defense struggled in their last game, giving up 77 points on 53% shooting from the field. They allowed the opposing team to hit 25 of 41 two-point attempts, a 61% success rate.

From beyond the arc, UNLV's opponents shot 41%, making 10 of 24 three-pointers. The Runnin' Rebels also sent them to the line 9 times, where they converted 7 free throws.

Falcons Preview: Does Air Force Have What it Takes at Home?

Air Force Falcons Recent Game/Games

The Falcons dropped to 3-9 on the season after a 77-59 loss to Boise State on Saturday. Air Force was +20.5 point underdogs going into the game but managed to cover the spread.

Air Force trailed 32-31 at halftime but allowed 45 points in the 2nd half while scoring just 28. The total points for the game ended at 136, just over the 135.5 O/U line.

Falcons Offense Breakdown

Air Force put up 59 points in their last game, shooting 54.8% from the field and 46.7% from three-point range, hitting 7 of 15 attempts. Their effective field goal percentage was an impressive 61.9%, though they struggled at the free-throw line, converting just 6 of 13 attempts (46.2%).

Tyson Degenhart led the way with 19 points, shooting 70% from the field. Luke Kearney added 16 points, hitting 4 of 6 from beyond the arc. Alvaro Cardenas dished out 12 assists, while O'Mar Stanley and Degenhart each grabbed 6 rebounds.

Falcons Team Defense

Even with Air Force holding them to just 3 made threes on 13 attempts, the opposing team still managed to put up 77 points. They did most of their damage inside, hitting 26 of 41 two-point shots for a 63% shooting percentage.

From the free-throw line, the team shot 76%, making 16 of 21 attempts. They also grabbed 10 offensive rebounds in the game.

Runnin' Rebels vs Falcons Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

In their last three games away from home, the Runnin' Rebels have a straight up record of 0-3 while going 1-2 vs the spread. The team's offense averaged 66 points per game in these contests.
Across their last five home contests, Air Force has a 3-2 record vs the spread. Their overall mark in these games was 0-5, while averaging 64 points per game.
Going back to their previous ten games as the underdog, Air Force has an ATS mark of 5-5 while going 0-10 straight up.
Although the Runnin' Rebels have a strong straight up record in their last five games as the betting favorite, they have not done as well vs the spread going 2-3.